Healthcare

Editorial

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3 pages, 192 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Prevention, Intervention and Care of Neurodegenerative Diseases

by Christos Bakirtzis, Marina-Kleopatra Boziki and Nikolaos Grigoriadis

Healthcare 2023, 11(16), 2349; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11162349 - 21 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1932

Abstract

Chronic neurodegenerative diseases encompass a wide spectrum of disorders and affect millions of people worldwide [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Intervention, and Care of Neurodegerative Diseases)

Research

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11 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Prediction Performance of the Thai Cardiovascular Risk Score for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Adults with Metabolic Risk Factors in Thailand

by Nida Buawangpong, Chanchanok Aramrat, Kanokporn Pinyopornpanish, Arintaya Phrommintikul, Atiwat Soontornpun, Wichuda Jiraporncharoen, Suphawita Pliannuom and Chaisiri Angkurawaranon

Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 1959; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101959 - 7 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2124

Abstract

Individuals with metabolic risks are at high risk of cognitive impairment. We aimed to investigate whether the Thai Cardiovascular Risk (TCVR) score can be used to predict mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Thai adults with metabolic risks. The study was conducted using secondary [...] Read more.

Individuals with metabolic risks are at high risk of cognitive impairment. We aimed to investigate whether the Thai Cardiovascular Risk (TCVR) score can be used to predict mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Thai adults with metabolic risks. The study was conducted using secondary data of patients with metabolic risks from Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. MCI was indicated by an MoCA score of less than 25. Six different TCVR models were used with various combinations of ten different variables for predicting the risk of MCI. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AuROC) and Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness of fit tests were used for determining discriminative performance and model calibration. The sensitivity of the discriminative performance was further evaluated by stratifying by age and gender. From a total of 421 participants, 348 participants had MCI. All six TCVR models showed a similar AuROC, varying between 0.58 and 0.61. The anthropometric-based model showed the best risk prediction performance in the older age group (AuROC 0.69). The laboratory-based model provided the highest discriminative performance for the younger age group (AuROC 0.60). There is potential for the development of an MCI risk model based on values from routine cardiovascular risk assessments among patients with metabolic risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Intervention, and Care of Neurodegerative Diseases)

12 pages, 437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Multimodal Rehabilitation on the Activities of Daily Living, Quality of Life, and Burden of Care for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Control Study

by Hyun-Se Choi and Seung-Hyun Cho

Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 1888; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101888 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2767

Abstract

Background: Parkinson’s disease reduces patients’ function, activities of daily living, and quality of life, and increases their guardians’ burden of care. This study verified the effectiveness of a multimodal rehabilitation programme for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Trial design: This study was a multicentre [...] Read more.

Background: Parkinson’s disease reduces patients’ function, activities of daily living, and quality of life, and increases their guardians’ burden of care. This study verified the effectiveness of a multimodal rehabilitation programme for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Trial design: This study was a multicentre parallel randomised controlled, single-blind, trial conducted in three hospitals in Korea. Methods: A central randomisation centre used computer generated tables to randomly allocate 60 of 75 patients with Parkinson’s disease who fulfilled the study requirements into experimental (n = 30; multimodal rehabilitation; consisting of daily living training, guardian education, home environment modification, fine muscle exercise, balance training, and training using auxiliary tools performed 50 min per session, twice a week, in 10 sessions) and control (n = 30; traditional rehabilitation; consisting of task-oriented training, joint exercise, and daily living training performed 50 min per session, twice a week, in 10 sessions) groups. Results: Multimodal rehabilitation for Parkinson’s disease significantly improved the activities of daily living (p < 0.01) and quality of life of patients (p < 0.001) and eased the guardians’ burden of care (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Multimodal rehabilitation is suggested to improve activities of daily living, quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease, and reduce the burden of care of their guardians. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Intervention, and Care of Neurodegerative Diseases)

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16 pages, 613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using the Concept of Health Literacy to Understand How People Living with Motor Neurone Disease and Carers Engage in Healthcare: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study

by Camille Paynter, Susan Mathers, Heidi Gregory, Adam P. Vogel and Madeline Cruice

Healthcare 2022, 10(8), 1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081371 - 24 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2251

Abstract

The growing body of information-seeking and decision-making literature in motor neurone disease (MND) has not yet explored the impact of health literacy. Health literacy relates to the skills people have to access, understand, and use health information and is influenced by motivation to [...] Read more.

The growing body of information-seeking and decision-making literature in motor neurone disease (MND) has not yet explored the impact of health literacy. Health literacy relates to the skills people have to access, understand, and use health information and is influenced by motivation to engage with healthcare. We aimed to better understand how people affected by MND engage in healthcare by examining longitudinal interview data using the construct of health literacy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 persons living with MND and 15 carers recruited from a specialist MND clinic using maximum variation sampling. Transcripts were deductively coded using a framework of health literacy behaviours. The analysis used a matrix-based approach for thematic analysis of longitudinal data. People living with MND and carers sought nuanced information dependent on their priorities and attitudes. Information uptake was influenced by perceived relevancy and changed over time. Time allowed opportunity to reflect on and understand the significance of information provided. The findings indicate that persons living with MND and carers benefit when information and consultations are adapted to meet their communication needs. The results highlight the potential benefits of gaining an early understanding of and accommodating the communication needs, personal preferences, and emotional readiness for information for persons living with MND and their carers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Intervention, and Care of Neurodegerative Diseases)

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Review

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22 pages, 2946 KiB

Open AccessReview

Deep Learning Techniques for the Effective Prediction of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Comprehensive Review

by K Aditya Shastry, V Vijayakumar, Manoj Kumar M V, Manjunatha B A and Chandrashekhar B N

Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 1842; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101842 - 23 Sep 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3074

Abstract

“Alzheimer’s disease” (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which the memory shrinks and neurons die. “Dementia” is described as a gradual decline in mental, psychological, and interpersonal qualities that hinders a person’s ability to function autonomously. AD is the most common degenerative brain [...] Read more.

“Alzheimer’s disease” (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which the memory shrinks and neurons die. “Dementia” is described as a gradual decline in mental, psychological, and interpersonal qualities that hinders a person’s ability to function autonomously. AD is the most common degenerative brain disease. Among the first signs of AD are missing recent incidents or conversations. “Deep learning” (DL) is a type of “machine learning” (ML) that allows computers to learn by doing, much like people do. DL techniques can attain cutting-edge precision, beating individuals in certain cases. A large quantity of tagged information with multi-layered “neural network” architectures is used to perform analysis. Because significant advancements in computed tomography have resulted in sizable heterogeneous brain signals, the use of DL for the timely identification as well as automatic classification of AD has piqued attention lately. With these considerations in mind, this paper provides an in-depth examination of the various DL approaches and their implementations for the identification and diagnosis of AD. Diverse research challenges are also explored, as well as current methods in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Intervention, and Care of Neurodegerative Diseases)

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9 pages, 266 KiB

Open AccessReview

Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography with Angiography in Multiple Sclerosis

by Ioannis-Nikolaos Chalkias, Christos Bakirtzis, Demetrios Pirounides, Marina Kleopatra Boziki and Nikolaos Grigoriadis

Healthcare 2022, 10(8), 1386; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081386 - 25 Jul 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2366

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative, potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system. OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) and OCT-A (Optical Coherence Tomography with Angiography) are imaging techniques for the retina and choroid that are used in the diagnosis and monitoring [...] Read more.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative, potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system. OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) and OCT-A (Optical Coherence Tomography with Angiography) are imaging techniques for the retina and choroid that are used in the diagnosis and monitoring of ophthalmological conditions. Their use has recently expanded the study of several autoimmune disorders, including MS. Although their application in MS remains unclear, the results seem promising. This review aimed to provide insight into the most recent OCT and OCT-A findings in MS and may function as a reference point for future research. According to the current literature, the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform complex (GC-IPL) are significantly reduced in people with MS and are inversely correlated with disease duration. The use of OCT might help distinguish between MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), as the latter presents with more pronounced thinning in both the RNFL and GC-IPL. The OCT-A findings in MS include reduced vessel density in the macula, peripapillary area, or both, and the enlargement of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in the setting of optic neuritis. Additionally, OCT-A might be able to detect damage in the very early stages of the disease as well as disease progression in severe cases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Intervention, and Care of Neurodegerative Diseases)

Other

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10 pages, 1028 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

What Do We Know So Far about Ofatumumab for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis? A Meta-Analytical Study

by Hafiza Munazza Taj, Maryam Talib, Sania Siddiqa, Azza Sarfraz, Zouina Sarfraz, Karla Robles-Velasco and Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda

Healthcare 2022, 10(11), 2199; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10112199 - 2 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2456

Abstract

Ofatumumab is a monoclonal antibody that reduces the level of B cells that alter the progression of relapsing multiple sclerosis. Originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2020, this meta-analysis determines the outcomes of four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) [...] Read more.

Ofatumumab is a monoclonal antibody that reduces the level of B cells that alter the progression of relapsing multiple sclerosis. Originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2020, this meta-analysis determines the outcomes of four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for endline outcomes of Gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions on MRI scans reported as Cohen’s d and relapse rate reported as risk ratio. All four RCTs reported favorable findings of gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions (Cohen’s d = −0.44, p < 0.00001). The relapse rate was reduced by 46% post ofatumumab administration (RR = 0.54, p < 0.00001). With 14 ongoing trials in this area, more data is required to consolidate our findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Intervention, and Care of Neurodegerative Diseases)

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18 pages, 1224 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Interventions within the Scope of Occupational Therapy in the Hospital Discharge Process Post-Stroke: A Systematic Review

by Patricia García-Pérez, José Pablo Lara, María del Carmen Rodríguez-Martínez and Carlos de la Cruz-Cosme

Healthcare 2022, 10(9), 1645; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10091645 - 29 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4635

Abstract

Stroke is one of the main causes of disability in adulthood. Its rehabilitation is a complex process that requires a multidisciplinary team of specialised professionals. The main goal of this review was to determine the impact of occupational therapy intervention post-stroke on the [...] Read more.

Stroke is one of the main causes of disability in adulthood. Its rehabilitation is a complex process that requires a multidisciplinary team of specialised professionals. The main goal of this review was to determine the impact of occupational therapy intervention post-stroke on the home discharge process. A systematic search was carried out of the following databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, Otseeker, and Dialnet. A screening was performed taking into account the type of article, including exclusively RCT, and type of intervention, only including interventions within the scope of occupational therapy that take place during the process of hospital discharge post-stroke. A total of 2285 citations were identified in the search from which 13 articles met the inclusion criteria. Comparisons of the groups indicated that early occupational therapy intervention during the process of hospital discharge can be effective in terms of functional recovery and can lead to the caregiver seeing improvements in self-efficacy and fatigue. In addition, the inclusion of a caregiver in the intervention influences the patient’s adherence to treatment, leading to a reduction in the cost of treatment and rehabilitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Intervention, and Care of Neurodegerative Diseases)

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